Gender identity ideology is a set of beliefs and assumptions that claim that a person’s sex is not determined by their biology, but by their subjective feelings and preferences. According to this ideology, a person can identify as a different sex than the one they were born with, or as no sex at all, or as a combination of sexes, or as a fluid and changing sex. Gender identity ideology also asserts that a person’s gender identity is more important and valid than their biological sex, and that anyone who disagrees or questions this is transphobic, bigoted, or hateful.

However, gender identity ideology is not based on any scientific evidence or logical reasoning. It contradicts the basic facts of biology, anatomy, genetics, and physiology, which show that sex is binary, immutable, and determined at fertilization. Sex is not a social construct, but a natural and objective reality that can be observed and measured. Sex is not a spectrum, but a dimorphic trait that has two distinct and complementary forms: male and female. Sex is not a choice, but a given that cannot be changed by hormones, surgery, or self-declaration.

There is also no evidence for the existence of a ‘gender identity’ beyond a person’s opinion. There is no scientific test or method to verify or measure a person’s gender identity. There is no biological basis or mechanism for how a person can have a gender identity that differs from their sex. There is no consistent or coherent definition of what gender identity means, or how many genders there are, or how they are determined. Gender identity is a subjective and arbitrary concept that can vary from person to person, from culture to culture, and from time to time.

Gender identity ideology is not only false, but also harmful. It undermines the reality and importance of sex, which is essential for human reproduction, health, and rights. It erases the differences and inequalities that women and girls face because of their sex, and silences their voices and experiences. It exposes children and adolescents to harmful and irreversible medical interventions that can damage their bodies and minds. It threatens the safety and privacy of women and girls in sex-segregated spaces and activities. It violates the freedom of speech and conscience of those who dissent from or question this ideology.

Gender identity ideology is not a progressive or compassionate movement, but a regressive and oppressive one. It is not a way to celebrate diversity, but a way to deny reality. It is not a way to respect people, but a way to manipulate and control them. It is not a way to promote human rights, but a way to undermine them.

Origins

Transgender ideology arose from identity politics, which seeks to centre political movements around group identities, particularly those considered marginalized or oppressed. As identity politics gained traction in the latter part of the 20th century, it emphasised the social construction of identity categories like race, sex, and sexuality. The transgender movement, drawing from feminist and queer theories, focused on challenging traditional understandings of sex and gender. By prioritizing subjective identity claims over biological realities, transgender ideology became a prominent extension of the broader identity politics framework. It advocates for recognition and rights based on self-identified gender rather than objective criteria like biological sex.

Think Tank Papers on Transgender Ideology

The two reports from IEA and Civitas address the rise of transgender ideology and its implications on liberal and societal values.

IEA Report: It critiques transgender ideology as a challenge to classical liberalism. It argues that the ideology undermines free speech, personal autonomy, and scientific understanding of sex. The report highlights concerns over compelled language use, especially regarding pronouns, and warns of the consequences for open debate and objective truth.

https://iea.org.uk/publications/transgender-ideology-a-new-threat-to-liberal-values

Civitas Report: It discusses how transgender ideology impacts societal cohesion and the understanding of biological sex. The report examines the ideological pressure on institutions like schools, healthcare, and law to adopt gender-identity-based policies, emphasizing the adverse effects on children. It highlights concerns over medicalization, including puberty blockers, and the undermining of parental rights.

Both reports argue that the current push for gender identity ideology threatens foundational liberal principles such as freedom of speech, the distinction between biological sex and gender, and the integrity of scientific inquiry. Both underscore the potential harm of gender ideology, especially when it affects children and adolescents.

https://www.civitas.org.uk/content/files/2454-A-The-Corrosive-Impact-of-TI-ppi-110-WEB.pdf